Read our Grand Rapids Bariatric Surgery and Medical Weight Loss Patient Stories

We would love to post your bariatric surgery success story! Use our form to share your journey. If you would, please include what procedure you had. Thank you!

If you would like to submit a testimonial, please use this form.

Now I can share my journey with all of you. I really struggled with having the surgery, only because having surgery on my body was a difficult decision because God gave me this body, and even though my whole family is obese and I didn't have much luck of just being thin, I knew I chose to eat and not take care of my body. I realized years and years ago that I was severely addicted to food, and I now had the option of changing my whole life forever. I decided right then and there that I was going to do the sleeve surgery, but I was going to do it the right way. I was ready to change every part of my life to get to where I wanted to be. I went to the orientation, without telling anybody I was going, not even my husband. I needed to do this for myself, and nobody else. I wanted to start the journey without anybody telling me to do it. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I weighed 376 pounds at my heaviest, and I have lost 163 pounds. After the surgery I decided to take care of the pain in my knee. I had surgery on my knee in the summer of 2010. There was a lot more to do than the surgeon thought. They only thought I had one torn maniscus. I actually had two torn maniscus, a huge bone spur, and arthritis. Of course, all of the damage was worse off because of the weight I carried around all of those years. He also told me that I would more than likely have to have that knee replaced one day, and probably the other knee too. Right then and there, I decided that when I got more of the weight off I would join a yoga class to try to strengthen my knee, and all of the rest of my muscles in my body. My body was in pretty rough shape from being so obese for so long. I then decided to go to the chiropractor to try to feel better. I just ached every where. I went to the chiropractor, and it took him 4-6 weeks of going 2-3 times a week before he got me back into full-body alignment. I now only go to him occasionally, as needed for migraines, or when I throw my lower back out. So now, I have had the surgery for my weight, had surgery on my knee, and was going regularly to the chiropractor. I was feeling pretty good. I continued to lose more weight. Well, in October of 2011 I joined a yoga/pilates/tai-chi class. We mostly do pilates and tai-chi with a little yoga thrown in. I cannot believe the difference that class has made for me, and I do it at home all the time now. My body feels the best it has in 20 years. I used to have migraines often, hip pain, knee pain, and for 2 years I was throwing my lower back out all the time. I now only have a migraine maybe once a month, have almost no hip pain, no knee pain, and almost never throw my back out. I can bend my knee farther than I have been able to in 5 years. When I throw my back out now, I can work it out all by myself, but occasionally do have to go to the chiropractor to get through it. I plan on adding a second exercise class in January of 2012. I also want to have some skin surgery at some point, but am in no hurry. None of this change in my life would be possible if I had not had the sleeve surgery to help me lose the weight. I have a wonderful support system with my family and friends. Is it hard? yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I am the happiest I have been in 20 years. If you are struggling with this decision I completely understand, but I am proof that you can change your life forever. You have to listen to the doctors, and you have to make up your mind for yourself if you want to live a longer healthier life. You have to also make up your mind to change your eating patterns, including how much you eat and what you eat, for the rest of your life. Food was my best friend, and I did it! It was hard at times, but I now rely on my husband to help me get through the rough times. I admit to him when I am struggling, and I tell him that I need him to help me. He steps up and always gives me unconditional support. My son, sister, other family members, and friends are always there for me too. My son has just made me feel beautiful through all of it. I would be having a hard day, and he would say "mom, you look so good", and he is so proud of me. I don't know where I would be without my husband and son to stand by me through it all, as they went through every step with me. My hsuband now tells me I am sexy, and I feel sexy too. I am blessed, and i do not take my health for granted any more. Good luck on your journey!

I decided to follow the path of my family. My mom and sister both decided to have the roux-n-y in February 2009 and May 2009 respectively. I swore to never have a weight loss surgery even though I weighed over 420 pounds. I was only 32 years old! My ankles hurt, my joints hurt, my body hurt. After my mom and sister led the way and I attended an information session led by Dr. Foote, I decided that a weight loss surgery was my best choice. My surgery, a sleeve gastrectomy, occurred on August 5, 2009. I weighed 424 pounds. Initially, I lost weight quickly. I didn't exercise. I decided to let the weight fall off. As a school teacher I was surrounded by fantastic people. I can't tell you how much being surrounded by positive people helped me lose weight and made me feel better about myself. My coworkers were a big part of my success! Eight months after my surgery I decided to start exercising. I bought a bike and started riding. I made it 30 miles per week by the end of the year (2010). Then I fell off the exercise wagon. By August 2010 I had lost around 170 pounds and weighed around 250 pounds. Time passed by and I didn't really exercise. I hadn't exercised since my 8th grade year (over 24 years ago). I started working out with a colleague. He asked me to start working out after school. I started working out on an elliptical. One day I decided to "Forest Gump" it. I started running and made it a mile in about 14 minutes. Pretty sad, but like I said, it had been a LOOOOOOONG time. I didn't work out over the summer of 2011. My wife and I joined our local YMCA in October 2011. Since then, I have started running faithfully. Currently, I am able to run about 4 miles uninterrupted. I am able to run a 5K (3.1 miles) in about 27 minutes which is a great improvement in where I started. My farthest run is six miles in an hour. I burn roughly 600 calories per workout and routinely work out six days per week. I run around 20-25 miles per week and have never been healthier. It is vital to understand that as you lose weight you start to feel better and the exercise comes quite easily. You must believe that the workouts are not impossible. You have so much more energy when you lose weight. In August 2009 I wore a 54 inch waist and a 5XLT shirt. Currently, I wear a 33 inch waist and a Large to Medium shirt. I am able to run 4 miles uninterrupted and have never been healthier. I weighed 424 pounds in August 2009 and currently weigh 203 pounds for a total loss of 221 pounds. My ultimate goal is to weigh 199 pounds (even if it's for a day). It’s just a goal that I would like to reach: if only for a day! One last thing: I tried to be responsible and take out a life insurance policy in 2005. I was a significant health risk. My $300,000 policy cost my family $134 per month!! That is an outrageous amount. Since having lost all of this weight I have had my life insurance checked again. My insurance agent called me with GREAT news. He told me I was rated ELITE PREFERRED. That means I was able to raise my life insurance to $600,000 with disability coverage (if I become disabled, my premium is paid) for a whopping $34 per month!!!!! I doubled my coverage and lowered my payment by over $100 dollars!!!! My family has struggled with weight for our entire lives. I know the story I shared has some very personal information, but you just cannot imagine how much I appreciate both Grand Health Partners and my co-workers. Had either of them been less professional or caring, my success would have been negated. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate my working family, my personal family and GHP! I have a new lease on life. My family is happier and healthier as a result of your dedication and kind words. I will never be able to express my gratitude. Thank you so much for all that you have done for me and my family!!!! God Bless!

My name is Beth Rogers. I am a 52-year-old mother of 3 daughters and the wife to a wonderful husband for 28 years. My weight loss story is like so many who have walked into Grand Health Partners. I had struggled with my weight since I was the age of 8. I spent most of my life overweight with only a few months of a normal weight while in nurses training. Like many of you I tried many different diet plans. They would always work and I would lose a significant amount of weight but it always came back on with several more pounds. After the birth of my first child I never saw less than 200 pounds again and by the birth of my 3rd daughter I was over 300 pounds. I had come to a point in my life that I knew that I had hit bottom. I had discovered the reality of my lack of health and I knew I had to make changes, I conferred with my PCP about weight loss surgery. He sent in the paperwork, only to have it lost. I waited an entire year, panicked and gave up. Emotionally I think I just wasnʼt ready. It took several more months and many discussions with my husband to try again, and this time I was denied. I was devastated but was not going to give up. My PCP worked to identify other co-morbidities and he found one - I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I was then approved to attend the Surgical Weight Loss Seminar. I have to admit that I was very anxious. I was handed several papers asking questions about my health and eating habits. I'm an RN and I was very embarrassed of how bad I had allowed my health to get. I was the kind of person who never went to the doctor unless there was no other choice. Needless to say, I had several co-morbidities that weren't diagnosed until my preop labs. I was right to be afraid because I not only had sleep apnea, but high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. All of which were new diagnoses and all out of control. I was put on hold for surgery until I could get them all under better control. It took me another 6 months, but I did it! This journey is a trial - not only a physical trial but also an emotional one. I was able to make the physical changes but struggled with the emotional ones. My life was changing so fast that it scared me. I had to learn who this new Beth was. Was she a friend? Could she be trusted? Was she going to run away? That was most certainly my running record when it came to friends. Over time I slowly embraced this Beth who was emerging. It took awhile but I slowly embraced all the physical, emotional and spiritual changes. I was still that old Beth but I was so much better and for once in my life I truly felt in sync. I totally and completely loved whom I was inside and out. Today my dreams are to live life and to grab hold of those dreams that I never dared dream before. It's exciting but also it carries uncertainty. After losing 210 pounds from my highest weight of 359, life certainly isn't the same. So what are my dreams now? For now, my biggest dream is giving back to others who are on this journey. To reach out, as a support group leader to give them direction, education, a hug, share a tear and offer an understanding ear. That dream is now a reality and I am loving the opportunity to live this dream. My ultimate dream for myself? Well, I dream one day to be working within a bariatric pracitice as not only a support group leader but also as an RN. I love this kind of work. After picking up nursing hours on the bariatric unit, I have felt so fulfilled and honored for the chance to share this journey with others. And my passion and desire, has grown even deeper. This surgery is certainly, without a doubt, the best gift that I ever gave myself. Thank you Dr. Baker and all from GHP for giving me the chance to actually live my dream. Thank you so much for taking a chance on me. Thank you for always being so willing to advise and teach me. In the past 3 years you have embraced my unending questions with kindness and respect. All of what you are, and all of what you do, just increases my passion more. I have faith that one day I will find my niche, but for now, my biggest goal is just to be able to live a healthy life in a way I never have. Dr. Baker, Amy Pearce, Christine, Todd, Andy and Kim, thank you for being there for me. Your patience and willingness, to share your knowledge, is always so appreciated by me. Youʼve brought me to a place in my life that I dare to dream and I canʼt thank you enough.

I had the weight loss surgery prior to coming to Dr. Baker. i weighed 320 pounds on the day of my surgery and to date i am at 180. Before i came to Dr. Baker i was really sick, i couldnt eat, i couldnt drink, i spent many many nights in the hospital, and was on my death bed. I was at my wits end with what was going on with me. It was all related to the wls, i had the gastric bypass. Dr. Baker was my last resort to fixing me. Come to find out i had an ulcer that ruptured attaching itself to my organs. Dr. Baker had to do the surgery to get rid of the ulcer. I had that surgery almost 3 years ago. Before coming to his office i was dying and now im full of life. I love the fact that he was so polite and that he helped me survive. I dont regret the surgery as a matter of fact i would do it all over again. It has changed my life in so many ways, even with my complications im so glad i had it done. Im so glad to have come to Dr. Randal. He is a great doctor and i would recommend anyone who is considering the wls to coming here. Thank you for giving my life back.

NOW, I can jump rope! Ride my bike, slide down water slides and slide down snow covered hills. NOW, I can live!! There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't before. I'm finally really enjoying and living life instead "existing" as a spectator. Life is a lot more fun this way. I started my journey weighing near 400 lbs. Currently, I weigh 255 and I'm still working hard at it. The weight I've lost so far has helped me gain life back and I couldn't be more greatful. I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy on December 15, 2009. I won't lie, the liquid only part of the diet was a little tough, but SO very worth it. My surgery went very well. Dr. Randall Baker was my surgeon and I couldn't be happier. Exercise is now a part of my life. I exercise 5 to 6 days a week working on cardio and strength training. Before surgery, it was difficult to walk down the street. Now, I can walk a couple miles without issue. And I LOVE riding my bicycle. It's become one of my favorites. Finding your health and regaining your life CAN be done. Some of us need the help of the tool that is weight loss surgery. I'm very happy with the decision I made.

Now i can tie my shoes without holding my breath and turning red! I can also ditch all my precribed meds, and my c-pap machine. I can roll on the floor with my children and chase them around without getting short of breath and feeling like i need a nap. I feel at least ten years younger now that i've lost 100 pounds! Dr. Kemmeter is a great surgion and done a wonderful job with my duodenal switch. I haven't had even the slightest problem since having surgery. please feel free to contact me with any questions.

When I came to GHP I weighed over 432 lbs. With the pre and post op programs I have lost over 170lbs. I am a new man with the freedom of movement that I have acquired. So much so now, that my wife and daughter cannot keep up with me. I have a whole new lease on life. Thank you Dr. Kemmeter and GHP.

To All of the People At GHP, Thank you very much for helping me get my life back. You all have been a true blessing from God. Last February when I went in for surgery, I weighed 347 lbs. and had very little hope for any type of active or long future. My weight problem not only affected me, but my whole family. I was a horrible example to my kids and I knew I wasn't able to help support my wife in her weight loss struggles either. I felt like a failure to my family. Since that time I've lost 155 lbs. and been enjoying a much more active lifestyle. My sons have lost weight and have become much more active. This summer I had the great joy of running a 5k with one of my sons. I have to say I was pretty emotional watching him come in across the finish line right after me. After my race this past weekend both my sons have expressed their interest in running a 1/2 marathon this coming spring. I know that whether they run a 1/2 marathon or full or 5k it doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm a better example to them and I owe much of that to everyone at GHP. I don't think I can express to you how much your help has meant to me and my family. Thank you.

I started this wonderful Journey on July 19,2009 I was ready for a change felt awful talked to Dr. Kemmeter at a wedding he said come in and check things out I am so glad I chose Grand Health Partners Dr. Kemmeter helped me choose the surgery I needed the gastric sleeve was my choice and on to surgery I went with the help of the doctors I also started the exercise I needed I went with running I have now run several 5K, 10K, and now a half marathon my goal is a full. I am not much of a righter but with the help of Grand Health Partners I am know on my way to a healthier life I started this journey July of 2009 at 432 I am know of November 9, 2010 208 Grand Health Partners puts you first and treats you like family. I am the one in the green shirt at the Grand Rapids Marathon.

I had gastric bypass surgery in December 2008. Since then I have lost approximately 145 pounds. I have gone from size 28 to size 10. It is still amazing to me how I can walk up the stairs without losing my breath. I can chase after my 3 year old son and play with him without being winded and tired. I am excited about the sun and being outside exercising. Before I was unhappy in my own skin. My body hurt all the time. I didn't want to go out in public. Now I am excited to go shopping for new clothes and I feel better about just being out of the house with family.

<< Start < Previous   1 2 3 4   Next > Last >>